Combos

Combo: Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour + Whale & Dolphin Safari Cruise

Couple exiting Auckland Explorer Bus on hop-on-hop-off city tour.

Auckland Explorer Bus passengers view Sky Tower through glass roof.

Auckland Explorer Bus staff assisting tourists with city tour brochures.

Red double-decker bus on Auckland city tour with Sky Tower in background.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Enjoy a cost-effective combo that includes a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Auckland as well as a whale and dolphin safari cruise!

4.1/5

(327)

Peter H

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

It took us to places that we wouldn't have seen, even if you don't get off the bus at those stops. It was a break from driving everywhere. There are many places on the route that will take some time to look around so you might want to get a ticket for 2 days or visit a few and make your own way to others that interest you another day.

Monica M

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

Nice and clean. A mix of covered and open seating. The audio was pretty good for most of the trip, some parts got lost on the highway. Easy online ticket purchase and redemption. It was my first time ever using a HOHO and because of this experience, I would do it again.

Michel G

Couple

Verified booking

Jan 2026

The bus route gives you a really good overview of the city, and the museum is very interesting, both for its historical aspect and its explanations about volcanoes, with a glimpse of what it would feel like to be in a house if an eruption occurred. The war museum on the top floor is very moving.

Alan M

Group

Verified booking

Jan 2026

The crew were all experts and obviously committed to preserving and respecting the environment. They were sensitive to the needs of the passengers and very responsive to questions. And the Waitemata Harbour and inner Hauraki Gulf are hard to beat!

Kenneth C

Couple

Verified booking

Nov 2025

Just that you can hop on, hop off.....pick the places you want to see.....spend as much time as you want there then hop back on. Oh, and the adorable cute Kiwi birds at the zoo. You can have either a one or two day pass but make sure you maximise your time. Down side was the rude travel guide/tourist who legged it to the bus, went upstairs then stopped other paying passengers from sitting in seats because she was saving them for her friends who hadn't even payed yet.

Kate M

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

The friendliness off the whole crew - Sana, Benji, Jo, Shay and the team made the whole day a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience. Would definitely recommend an we'll be back!

Travel across 9 stops on the yellow double-decker Auckland Explorer Bus or red open-deck Soaring Kiwi bus (route map here).

Choose from the 1-day or 2-day option to have complete control over your itinerary and learn about the city's history from the onboard English commentary.

View Auckland's largest cathedral, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and stroll through Parnell Village to shop at the charming boutiques, and more.

Hop on board the ‘Dolphin Explorer’ for a 4.5-hour luxury cruise on the waters of Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, sailing past Harbour Bridge and Devonport.

Witness marine life such as dolphins, orcas, and whales, and learn about them from a marine science expert.

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

1-day/2-day hop-on hop-off pass

Onboard English commentary

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

4.5-hr eco-cruise with dolphin and whale watching

Expert and informative commentary

Interaction with marine research scientists

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Entry fee to Sky Tower, Auckland War Memorial Museum, SEALIFE Kelly Tarltons, All Black Experience, and Weta Workshop Unleashed

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

327 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Hilda K
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Loved it. Easy to book and pay last minute online, we were picked up from Skytower Auckland punctually, and the 2 attendants were so helpful with all enquiries. Pleasant double decker open buses, we experienced 3 helpful and polite drivers each time we hopped on/ off. It covered many Auckland landmarks, we chose only 2 however we could have done at least 2 more. This beats a chartered tour bus as you decide how long you spend at a site and then wait for the bus which comes around every 30 min. We had our own time to visit Mt Edna, then Auckland Zoo for as long as we liked instead of being given a time limit. Just be tolerant that sometimes you have to wait longer than 30 min for your connection as buses are caught in peak hour jams. The on board commentary was loud, clear and well synchronised. After we terminated at Skytower, we could have gone on one last round loop tour without getting off if we wanted. We liked this better because we got to choose where to explore unlike a structured sightseeing tour that covers places you are not interested in. Overall a happy experience which has made us want to do more Hoho bus tours in future.
Barbara T
Couple
Verified booking
Mar 2026
Interesting trip through attractive suburbs. Only problem was that the commentary volume on one of the buses was too low, resulting in people not hearing it and talking over.
Darcy J
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Great time, informative, open air on the back of the top of the bus. Easy locations to. Get on and off, well marked! Wonderful commentary, nice driver.
Linda S
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Overview of the city, commentary describing what we were seeing, and frequency of buses.
Peter H
Couple
Verified booking
Feb 2026
It took us to places that we wouldn't have seen, even if you don't get off the bus at those stops. It was a break from driving everywhere. There are many places on the route that will take some time to look around so you might want to get a ticket for 2 days or visit a few and make your own way to others that interest you another day.

Choose this discounted combo and enjoy a hop-on hop-off tour as well as a marine cruise with one ticket.

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

Get on board a 65-foot luxury catamaran to explore the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, one of the most prolific and diverse marine parks in the world. See stunning views of Auckland landmarks like the Harbour Bridge, North Head, and Rangitoto Island – home to the youngest volcano in New Zealand. Learn facts about the marine wildlife in the gulf. Witness pods of dolphins leap into the air, putting on a splendid show, and hopefully, you'll see marine creatures including orcas, whales, fur seals, sharks, manta rays, turtles, and rare species of seabirds like the little blue penguin. Interact with the marine science experts on board to know more about marine wildlife preservation projects and more.

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Start your trip by boarding the yellow double-decker Auckland Explorer or red open-deck Soaring Kiwi bus and enjoy an onboard audio guide. Cross the Sky Tower – Auckland's tallest skyscraper, and get to know about the All Black Experience, based on New Zealand's rugby history and Weta Workshop Unleashed, which shows how special effects are created.

Relax at Albert Park and shop at the boutiques and cafes of Newmarket. The Auckland War Memorial Museum sheds light on the nation's history of wars. Make your way to Bastion Point which offers breathtaking views of the cityscape. Finish your tour at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium. Witness different types of marine life such as sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and even get up and personal with penguins.

Route

Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

Important Information

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Facilities: Wheelchair Accessibility, Pram/Stroller Accessibility.

Note that the following is not allowed on this tour: large bags.

The tour circuit takes about 60 minutes to complete a full, non-stop loop.

Click here for the route map.

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

Please note that your allocated seats may be released to standby passengers if you do not check in at least 15 minutes before departure.

It is recommended you wear a few layers of clothes, bring along something warm and wind/shower-proof, a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Please wear flat-soled shoes.

Please carry your personal medication, including seasickness medication as these are not available on board.

You may carry your own food and non-alcoholic drinks on board.

Timings

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Daily: 9am to 5pm

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

Daily: 10:15am onwards

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display your mobile voucher along with a valid photo ID at the museum.

Ticket Redemption Points

Explorer Bus Pass

The temporary stop 1 is located at Downtown Auckland Stop.

Address: 23 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Landmark: Commerce Street, near the intersection with Customs Street East.

Get Directions to the Ticket Redemption Point

Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari

Board your cruise at Viaduct Harbour.

Address: Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari,175 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.

Landmark: Opposite the New Zealand Maritime Museum.

Get Directions to the Ticket Redemption Point